Rahul Gandhi’s interference prompted me to quit Congress: SM Krishna

Former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna revealed that he had to quit the UPA government and Congress party because of "constant interference" from Rahul Gandhi. Krishna, who was the foreign minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet, said that he had to resign from the post of external affairs minister as it had become unbearable to continue due to constant interference. He had also talked about this when he resigned in 2017.

"Ten years ago, Rahul was an MP and didn't hold any party post but would interfere in all matters. Even though Manmohan Singh was the PM, many subjects were taken up without bringing it to his notice. Congress did not have any control over alliance parties. It was then that all major scams like 2G spectrum, Commonwealth and coal were reported. Such situations arise when there's no able leadership," said Krishna who later crossed over to BJP.

"As I was in power in the UPA government from 2009 to 2014, I'm equally responsible for all good and bad things which happened then," he said, adding that the then PM did not have control over his cabinet and government as everything was being controlled by Rahul who acted like an extra-constitutional body.

The 84-year-old was one of the close aides of Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv and held key ministerial positions at both the Centre and state. The party also appointed him as the 19th Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008. However, the veteran Congress leader left the party as he was sidelined.  Krishna continues to hold sway in the Mandya, Mysore and Tumkur region, which has remained a Vokkaliga stronghold.